Iokwe from OK! Choices

Iokwe! 

As we talk with people here in Enid, it often comes up in conversation how they know God exists or why they believe in God. For some reason, a common response is "Of course He exists: I should be dead right now!" which is usually followed by a related near-death experience. This week we were supposed to be struck by a "powder keg of storms" that would include some number of tornadoes. It sounded like the world was supposed to end here in Oklahoma. When it hit, it rained really hard, lightninged a bunch..... and then mostly passed right around us after about an hour and a half. We pretty much just ate dinner and then walked right back outside. So much for the life-threatening storm. I'm wondering if this "near miss" allows me to join the "I should be dead right now!" club.

Other than that, not too much exciting to report for this week. To be honest, I don't really have many updates for our area. Things are really slow right now and, as we have discussed the reasons why, Elder Smith and I have felt that we need to focus more on helping the branch grow and become more unified. We just aren't getting any traction in our areas because we aren't in sync with the branch. We've had some really good ideas already and we are hoping to finalize those this week and set plans in motion. 

Something that I have been thinking about this week has been choices. Our decisions are so important. President Monson, our current prophet, often says "Decisions determine destiny". I have really been learning how true this is. 

If you imagine a large gate, when you open the gate the movement near the hinges is quite small. The gate is really only passing over a small patch of ground. However, farther down the gate, the metal has covered a substantial distance. The difference was only a few degrees at the hinges. The same with a ship: if the captain intends to reach his destination, he must be sure to not deviate from the correct course or a couple of degrees difference could lead to hundreds of miles distance from safe shore.

Our lives are the same. If we are looking forward into the future of our lives, as if our path were highlighted in front of us, if we choose to turn a couple of degrees from what is right, we may find ourselves very far from safe harbor and unsure of how we got there. The decisions we make now, even small ones, will determine where we are and who we are in the future.

Let us choose to make good decisions now. If we desire to reach our intended destination of being happy, good, righteous people in the future, let us choose to do happy, good, righteous things now. Let us choose to make a bright future by choosing brighter choices today. Now. Let's not deviate from course. Hold to those things that support us in our efforts to become better and to lift others as they strive to do the same. Let us choose to remember the Savior and follow His path. 

I know we'll inherit a better destiny as we determine to choose the right now. 

I look forward to making it there with you all. Have a great week!

Jerammaan!

Elder Josh Kilmer
Oklahoma, Oklahoma City Mission, Marshallese speaking
不動心
Fudoshin:  immovable spirit
www.mormon.org